Translations by Brian Friel

Leaving Cert Comparitive study Translations by Brian Friel Translations is a three-act play set in the tumultuous nineteenth century boorish of Ireland. The action takes place in a hedge-school where students are faced with the usurpation of English speaking soldiers. One of these soldiers falls in love with an Irish girl and then mysteriously goes missing. The son of the master of the hedge-school is forced to go into hiding to keep from being condemned for the crime, although he is not responsible for the soldiers disappearance. Translations is a play about love, tradition, and the circumstances that force the break with these traditions.Characters Manus Cares for plenty at the beginning of the play. Intelligent and educated. Runs away at the end. Lacks ambition and vision. Owen amicable with everyone. Takes Manus place at the end in caring for Sarah and Hugh. Betrays Ireland with the English. Ran away for six-spot years, like Manus does at the end. Yolland Wants to learn Iri sh and understand the people. Doubts righteous validity of what he is doing. Overly romantic about Ireland and its language. Cannot face up to authority. Hugh Agrees to help Maire at the end. Uses Manus and blatantly prefers Owen. Sometimes pretentious.Major Areas of Study speech and power Language and communication Language and identity (both cultural and individual) draw close Friendship and love The past and mythology Education Sample Questions 1. Why do you think that Friel gave his play the title Translations? 2. The play is set in 1833. How does Friel delineate its themes relevant to a modern day audience? 3. Do you pit that Translations is more concerned with the fate of individuals than the fate of nations? 4. The play is about the characters attend for their true identities. Do you agree?